Whether you are a patient or visitor at Los Robles Hospital, we want your experience with us to be as pleasant as possible. We have provided helpful information to help you during your stay or while visiting a patient in the hospital.

Radiation Therapy -- External

Definition

Radiation therapy is a treatment for cancer and other diseases. It uses high-energy particles to damage the genetic code (DNA) in the cancer cells. This makes the cells unable to grow or divide.

There are 2 main types of radiation therapy:

External—radiation is delivered by a machine that shoots particles at the cells from outside the body

Internal
—radioactive materials are placed in the body near the cancer cells (also called implant radiation or brachytherapy)

In certain cases, your doctor may recommend a combination of these. Radiation is often used with other types of treatment, such as surgery,
chemotherapy
, and immunotherapy (stimulates the immune system to fight infection).

This fact sheet will focus on external radiation therapy.

Reasons for Procedure

This procedure may be done to:

Control the growth or spread of cancer

Attempt to cure cancer

Reduce pain or other symptoms caused by cancer (This is called palliative radiation.)

Radiation therapy is commonly used to treat:

Solid tumors such as prostate cancer, breast cancer, and head and neck cancers

Possible Complications

External radiation does not cause your body to become radioactive. It can cause side effects, as the radiation damages your own healthy cells as well as the cancer cells. Common side effects of radiation include, but are not limited to:

A woman who is pregnant or could be pregnant should avoid exposure to radiation. It could harm a developing fetus.

What to Expect

Prior to Procedure

You will go through a process called simulation. This takes between 30 minutes and 2 hours.

You will lie on an exam table. A CT scan will be used to define the exact place(s) where radiation will be directed. The exact area on your skin may be marked with colored ink. You may also have a small tattoo (or several) placed on your skin. This is as a permanent mark to help aim the radiation beam.

Depending on the type of treatment required, you may also be measured for devices like braces that will help you stay still during treatment.

Description of the Procedure

You will be positioned on the treatment table or chair. The radiation therapist will leave the room and enter a control room. The machine will deliver radiation to certain areas of your body. The most common sources of radiation are x-rays, electron beams, and cobalt-60 gamma rays.

You must be still during treatment. The therapist can see you on a screen. You can talk with the therapist if you feel uncomfortable or sick.

How Long Will It Take?

The treatment takes 1-5 minutes. You should allow at least 30 minutes for each session. Most treatments last 2-8 weeks. They are given once a day, 5 days per week. In some cases, you may be treated twice daily or only 3 times a week. Treatment schedules will depend on different factors. Talk to your radiation oncologist about the schedule planned for you.

Will It Hurt?

No

Average Hospital Stay

There is no hospital stay. External radiation is typically done at an office visit.

Post-procedure Care

Be sure to follow your
doctor’s instructions
.

During treatment, your doctor will want to see you at least once a week. You may have routine blood tests to check for the effects of radiation on your blood cells.

After treatment is completed, you will have regular visits to monitor healing and to make sure the treatment affected the disease as planned. Follow-up care will vary for each person. Care may include further testing, medicine, or rehabilitative treatment.

Call Your Doctor

After arriving home, contact your doctor if any of the following occur:

Signs of infection, including fever and chills

Diarrhea or loss of appetite

Unexplained weight loss

Frequent urination, particularly if it is associated with pain or burning sensation

New or unusual swelling or lumps

Nausea and/or vomiting that you cannot control with the medicines you were given

Pain that does not go away

Unusual changes in skin, including bruises, rashes, discharge, or bleeding

Cough, shortness of breath, or chest pain

Any other symptom your nurse or doctor told you to look for

Any new symptoms

In case of an emergency, call for emergency medical services right away.

Revision Information

This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.